CityCompare

Cedar Rapids IA vs West Palm Beach FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Cedar Rapids, IA

Iowa · Population: 136,859

  • Median HH Income$67,859
  • Median Home Price$210,271
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+32.9%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
50.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
1453

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in West Palm Beach. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

Compare More Cities

Cedar Rapids, IA vs New York, NYCedar Rapids, IA vs Los Angeles, CACedar Rapids, IA vs Chicago, ILCedar Rapids, IA vs Houston, TXCedar Rapids, IA vs Phoenix, AZCedar Rapids, IA vs Philadelphia, PA

About Cedar Rapids & West Palm Beach

View Cedar Rapids IA Profile →View West Palm Beach FL Profile →